Rail Trails and Multiuse Trails

Northampton's rail and multiuse trail network currently is easily accessible to about 70% of Northampton's residents. We hope to continue to expand the network until we have trails accessible to 80% of our population and can serve more destinations to home, work, and play.

Rail and multiuse trail responsibilities in Northampton are:1. The Office of Planning and Sustainability plans and develops trails and assist in capital repairs and maintenance.2. The Department of Public Works maintains most of the trails.3. The Transportation and Parking Commission and its Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee advise in these areas.4. The Massachusetts Depart. of Conservation and Recreation owns and maintains trail on east side of Ct. River railroad.5. The rail trail adopt-a-trail program brings in volunteers to maintain sections of the trail.6. A collaboration with Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways brings in the community for annual cleanups, fundraising, and other joint projects.

The rail and multiuse trail network consists of the following existing and planned trails:

New Haven and Northampton Canal Rail Trail: eventually Northampton to New Haven. Northampton and Easthampton (Manhan section) complete.

90

Various along the way

New Haven and Northampton: Ct. River Railroad by King Street to Easthampton

4.0

DPW maintained

Hospital Hill Spur: Earle Street to former Northampton State Hospital

0.4

Sidewalk, asphalt trail, partially DPW and partially Village HillI

Ice Pond Spur: Ice Pond Drive to Florence Road

0.4

Planning maintained. Long term goal is to connect to the New Haven and Northampton and to the Ryan Road School area

Connecticut River Greenway

0

No current trail. Long term goal is to connect state MassCentral to Elm Court in Hatfield

Trail etiquette

Alert others when passing

Stay to the right unless passing

Ride or roller blade in single file

Stop and look both ways at road crossings

Please don’t litter: bring out what you bring in

Keep dogs on a leash and pick up waste

Wear a helmet (state law for bicyclists 16 and under)

Respect private property along the trail

Except for personal mobility devices, no unauthorized vehicles allowed on the trail

You can help:

1. Most important, ride and walk the trails and spread the word.2. Consider how trails can be part of a strategy to reduce how often and how far you drive by yourself.3. Sign up to volunteer and adopt a section of the trail to help with maintenance4. Contribute financially to help:

Checks to "City of Northampton" mailed to the Office of Planning and Sustainability. Note purpose of donation.

Checks to "Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts-- Northampton Open Space and Bicycle Projects Fund" mailed to the Office of Planning and Sustainability. Note purpose of donation.

Checks to "Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways." Note purpose of donation.

Planning and Sustainability has a goal of 0.4% of its capital projects being dedicated to the arts, including applied arts. To achieve that goal for the $12 million dollars spent to develop a rail trail network over the past few years, the city undertook:

Art installation on the rail trail bridge over Main Street (installed 2012), designed to evoke activities along the rail trail (walking, bicycling, strolling, trains, etc)-- $31,850 (all from fundraising).

Wayfinding signage installed on art kiosks designed to reflect steel railroad bridge construction ($10,000 from a state grant and local contributions).

A mileage marker program with a symbolic mileage marker 0 where all the trails connect. (This project is in the planning stages)